Andhra CM approves final master plan of capital city

Amaravati, July 12 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday approved the final master plan for state's capital city Amaravati.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu gave his nod for the master plan at a meeting of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA)

He, along with Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana and Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, reviewed the final design.

Representatives from British architectural firm Foster & Partners presented detailed designs for the new assembly building, high court and the city infrastructure plan, after having worked on inputs provided by the CRDA officials.

After discussing different aspects of the city plan, like environment friendliness, energy infrastructure and the waste disposal system, Naidu gave the final nod.

The architecture firm will meet the ministers in two days, to officially commence the execution, after meeting the Chief Justice for more inputs.

"I am excited that we have reached the final stage. People all over the world have high expectations of this city. No one has ever built a city of this scale from the scratch," said the Chief Minister.

The architectural firm designed the high court building like a diamond, and the assembly building like a Buddhist stupa, both symbolic of the region.

Naidu made a key suggestion to interchange the two designs of the buildings, thus structuring the assembly building like a diamond.

"The stupa signifies happiness, and justice is the greatest happiness I want my people to feel, reflected by the high court. The assembly building, at the centre of the city plan, should be inspired by the historic Kohinoor, which happens to be born in this very land," a statement from his office quoted him as saying.

He also said that "Justice City", comprising the high court and the judiciary residency complexes, would be comparable to the standards set by London and Hong Kong.